Batu Gajah seems well known for development at the expense of convenience

The old market had a long history of unsuccessful proposed projects. When it was demolished many years ago, there was a proposed development for a multi-storey building to be built by Majlis Daerah Kinta Barat, which I gathered, was officially launched by Perak Sultan. Since then, it was shelved and used as a temporary car park. Recently, the surrounding buildings were painted a common colour and paved by Majlis Daerah Batu Gajah and the place named as Local Agenda 21.

"Councillor Yip Sze Choy noted that in time to come, the council would set up a booth at the parking lot to collect assessment fees, process licences and take down complaints from ratepayers.

“Ratepayers who rely on public transport have difficulty getting to the council to do their transactions as buses do not stop in front of the building, and it is a steep climb up to it.

“The booth will be convenient for ratepayers, especially old folks and the disabled,” he said."

(This is a clear admission that the multi-million Ringgit council building (see pic at the bottom of page) was built at a most inconvenient location! Just like the new railway station in Kg. Pisang which is 2 km. from the main road, and the under-used bus station, the most basic rule in property development of 'location, location and location' seemed to have escaped the decision makers.)

(Pic courtesy of The Star)

"THE LA21 (Local Agenda 21) parking lot, which requires motorists to only pay RM1, is gaining much popularity among Batu Gajah folks.

Batu Gajah District Council president Datuk Jamry Sury said many people were taking the opportunity to park their vehicles at the parking lot located between Jalan Batu Gajah and Jalan Pasar in the middle of town, as it is cheap and convenient."

(The cheap Rm1 parking fee for a whole day might seem like great social service but the revenue will not be able to pay parking attendants' salaries.)

Source: The Star Metro Perak: Motorists find relief in centrally located parking lots
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/11/metroperak/9869733&sec=metroperak

Opposite the new market is an empty space which was tarred quite recently for traders. Now it is being hacked to be paved! MDBG must really take the cake in poor planning. But as my wife puts it, 'Otherwise how are the 'machais' going to get contracts?' Again, it is not an offence to be bad planners, is it?

Picture of the majestic new council building
Link